scholarly journals Challenges of finance accessibility by SMEs in the democratic republic of Congo: is gender a constraint?

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Atsede Woldie ◽  
Bushige Mwangaza Laurence ◽  
Brychan Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Government

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in income generation, job creation, poverty reduction and reducing income inequality of all countries, regardless of the level of development. Nevertheless, in developing countries, they are exposed to several challenges affecting their business operations and growth. Among others, access to external financing has been cited to be the most pressing challenge for SMEs in developing economies. The lack of accessibility has been indicated to result from the deficiencies observed from both financial institutions and SMEs. Further, it has been discovered that from the SMEs’ perspective, gender, among other entrepreneurial characteristics, has a role in accessing finance. This paper surveys a sample of 109 SMEs in the Democratic Republic of Congo not only to find what are the challenges faced in seeking finance, but also to investigate the extent to which gender impacts access to finance. The evidence gathered shows that finance is really constraining, there are more rejections than approvals of finance due to the lack of collateral, high interest rates and the inability of SMEs to develop attractive and bankable projects. With regards to gender, the findings were somehow assuring in the sense that when both women and men apply for external finance, they stand the same chances of accessing finance. Recommendations were established to all the actors. SMEs must put more effort into regulating their businesses in order to reduce their risks and build strong relationships with lenders. Financial institutions should not only reconsider the interest rates as they were perceived to be extremely high, but also train SMEs to be “more bankable”. Lastly, the Government should implement policies to support firms and render the business environment more appealing for both SMEs and financial institutions.

Aid Effectiveness

2020 ◽  
pp. 77-104
Author(s):  
Constantine Michalopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Aid Effectiveness ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Fragile States ◽  
Partner Country ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Bilateral Assistance

This chapter starts with a description of some of the specific steps the Utstein group took to streamline their aid procedures in order to reduce the burdens imposed on partner countries and increase effectiveness in the implementation of their bilateral assistance programmes. This is followed by a similar discussion of U4 efforts to help improve the effectiveness of EU aid in which three of the four ministers were involved. The chapter then turns to a discussion of the U4 aid to Tanzania which four of them visited in 2000 as a showcase of what they had been advocating. They spread their message about a new approach to development cooperation in which the partner country is in the driver’s seat by organizing so called ‘Big Tables’ with African leaders (including Ministers of Finance) that permitted a frank exchange of views on ways to make aid more effective in achieving poverty reduction. The final part of the chapter reviews U4’s support to fragile states, focusing on their joint efforts in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.

scholarly journals Gender discrepancy in economic participation: the case of young women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-30
Author(s):  
Darla Urmiche Diya Lipoko ◽  
Chux Gervase Iwu ◽  
Abdullah Promise Opute
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Start Ups

Given the patriarchal nature of the African society, females are often secondary. In patriarchal societies, men are viewed as forbearers of knowledge and hence dominate other considerations. A direct consequence therefore is structural discrimination of women, and small businesses are owned and managed by men. Youth unemployment is notably high in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and especially among females. Notably too, one critical factor that drives entrepreneurship start-ups is self-employment, often induced by unemployment. In patriarchal societies, not only are there few opportunities for women but also women face more constraints than their male counterparts. Inspired by the gap in the literature, this study utilizes the descriptive literature review approach to understand the problems, faced by young women when starting a business in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Understanding this theoretical premise and from the perspective of the explored population is important given the criticality of entrepreneurship to economic growth (including unemployment and poverty reduction). In addition, this study would contribute to strategic policy change for achieving productive entrepreneurship. Finally, this study flags research directions for steering necessary research towards productive entrepreneurship goals.

scholarly journals Rape in Armed Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Kabengele Mpinga ◽  
Mapendo Koya ◽  
Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe ◽  
Emilien Jeannot ◽  
Sylvie B. Rehani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Medical Subject Headings ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Government

We conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature between 1996 and 2013 on rape in war-ridden Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in order to better understand the interest of the scientific community in describing the magnitude and characteristics of the problem. The literature search was conducted in French and English using several databases (Pubmed, PsycInfo, Sapphire, BDSP, Embase, Rero, and Web of Science) with the key words “rape and DRC” combined with several Medical Subject Headings concepts. Our systematic review yielded 2,087 references, among which only 27 are original studies, that is 20 are based on population surveys and the remaining 7 are original data based on case studies and reviews. Ten studies provided prevalence rates of rape victims, 18 provided specific information on the profile of the victims, 10 reported that most of the perpetrators of rape were military personnel, 14 referred to the negligence of the government in protecting victims, and 10 reported a lack of competent health-care facilities. The awareness of rape in conflict-ridden DRC is still limited as reported in the scientific literature: Published scientific papers are scarce. Yet more research would probably help mobilize local authorities and the international community against this basic human rights violation.

scholarly journals Formal financial institutions financing of immigrant small and medium enterprises in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis T. Asah ◽  
Lynette Louw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
South African ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Orientation: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned by immigrants in developing economies, such as South Africa, tend to trust formal financial institutions (FFIs) for financial support.Research purpose: Even though immigrant SMEs create opportunities that have important implications for the South African economy; less than 5% of them can access credit from FFIs. This study, therefore, explores the accessibility of credit from FFIs to immigrant SMEs from a supply-side perspective.Motivation for the study: Research studies on improving financing from FFIs to immigrant SMEs will help to boost the survival of immigrant SMEs and promote economic development in South Africa.Research design, approach and method: This qualitative research design used an interpretivistic research paradigm to achieve the research objectives. Data were collected from 16 purposively selected participants and analysed using the five-step process of content analysis outlined by Terre Blanche, Durrheim and Kelly.Main findings: The findings revealed that FFIs are uninterested and biased against considering financing immigrant SMEs and tend to charge them higher interest rates. Collateral, equity contribution and the possession of a South African permanent resident permit with a South African ID are the most important requirements that impact the willingness of FFIs to finance immigrant SMEs.Practical/managerial implications: Implications for the financial institutions in policy development were provided.Contribution/value-add: This research study highlights the requirements and the challenges faced by immigrant SMEs in accessing credit from FFIs. The use of qualitative research design further contributed to the literature on FFIs financing of immigrant SMEs.

scholarly journals Social and economic consequences of the cost of obstetric and neonatal care in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo: a mixed methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Musau Nkola Angèle ◽  
Ntambue Mukengeshayi Abel ◽  
Omewatu Mungomba Jacques ◽  
Mundongo Tshamba Henri ◽  
Malonga Kaj Françoise
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Neonatal Care ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to explore and measure the social and economic consequences of the costs of obstetric and neonatal care in Lubumbashi, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods We conducted a mixed qualitative and quantitative study in the maternity departments of health facilities in Lubumbashi. The qualitative results were based on a case study conducted in 2018 that included 14 respondents (8 mothers of newborns, 2 accompanying family members and 4 health care providers). A quantitative cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in 2019 with 411 women who gave birth at 10 referral hospitals. Data were collected for one month at each hospital, and selected mothers of newborns were included in the study only if they paid out-of-pocket and at the point of care for costs related to obstetric and neonatal care. Results Costs for obstetric and neonatal care averaged US $77, US $207 and US $338 for simple, complicated vaginal and caesarean deliveries, respectively. These health expenditures were greater than or equal to 40% of the ability to pay for 58.4% of households. At the time of delivery, 14.1% of women giving birth did not have enough money to pay for care. Of those who did, 76.5% spent their savings. When households did not pay for care, mothers and their babies were held for a long time at the place of care. This resulted in the prolonged absence of the mother from the household, reduced household income, family conflicts, and the abandonment of the home by the spouse. At the health facility level, the increase in length of stay did not generate any additional financial benefits. Mothers no longer had confidence in nurses; they were sometimes separated from their babies, and they could not access certain prescribed medications or treatments. Conclusion The government of the DRC should implement a mechanism for subsidizing care and associate it with a cost-sharing system. This would place the country on the path to achieving universal health coverage in improving the physical, mental and social health of mothers, their babies and their households.

scholarly journals Global Deposits of Rare Earth Elements and Prospects in the Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges M. Kasay ◽  
Anthony Bolarinwa ◽  
Olawale K. Aromolaran ◽  
Charles Nzolang ◽  
Alain S. Kivava
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Permanent Magnets ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Air Conditioners

Abstract Rare earth elements (REE) are not as rare as their name indicate, but the deposits in which they are found at an economic interest are not very common. They are enriched in carbonatites, pegmatites, alkaline and per-alkaline igneous rocks, placers, laterites, veins, bauxites and iron adsorption clays. Economic deposits of REE are mined from 3 main minerals, which are bastnaesite, monazite and xenotime. REE have been widely used in many high-tech and green technology gadgets, including batteries, computer memories, permanent magnets, smartphones, solar panels, wind turbines, speakers, air conditioners and many other applications. Due to these applications, REE are sought after by many developed and developing economies. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is endowed with mineral potentials. Studies have speculated REE concentration in areas with carbonatite complexes such as Lueshe, Bingo and Kirumba. Other regions with REE potentials include pegmatites. A high weathering rate contributes to metals and REE deposition in lateritic profiles of pegmatites and other alkaline rocks. Additionally, there are placers in many locations of riverbanks. For example, the alluvial placers of Kabengelwa, Mashabuto and Obaye are enriched in monazite and contain significant quantities of rare earth oxides. We believe that, with more research and explorations, the DRC could be a potential target for future REE projects.

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